Re: Tomorrow's The Day

Hi Irene - we always hope for the best! Good luck with your scans. Remember, knowledge is power. At least you will get a better idea how to proceed with your care. Take control of this thing, don't let it control you....

Re: Tomorrow's The Day

You've got it. Good thoughts for the best out come on your scan coming your way.

Darla

"One Day At A Time"

All of my comments and suggestions are just my opinions and are not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care providers.

Re: Tomorrow's The Day

Hello All:

First -- I want to thank all of you again. I truly believe in the power of good thought and spirit and I think the vibes were of great help to me today.

So here's my update. The bad news is that there is now a second, tiny tiny (less than a cm) tumor also in the liver, sort of off by itself, nowhre near a wall, a vein, or a node. There are also three lymph nodes of increased size, which clearly tells us there is node involvement. (At my last check in October 08 the nodes were identified as "probable" involvement but now they are bigger and the situation seems more clear.)The good news, however, seems to be fairly good news: while the tumor has grown, it has grown only 1/2 cm (it went from 6.5 in October to 7.0 today). Doctor was very clear that this is what they're calling a "lazy" tumor and he said "growth was slower than we'd expected."Doctor did suggest chemo which I again declined -- at least for now -- but he was much less insistent, and said it was something we should talk about again when he does the next scan in 3--4 months. Also recommending Gemzar only as opposed to the three-drug cocktail he strongly wanted me to be taking last year.Overall, the news was good (relatively speaking, of course) and in fact the doc said I may have 6 or 12 months before I start to see serious symptoms. This may not sound like a long time, but I will tell you all that last summer these folks had me dead in a year. I fully expected that I would not make it to my 45th birthday (which is in September -- and hey -- I like watches!) and now it sounds like I might just make it there, and then some. So...obviously the presence of the second tumor is bad bad bad, and the growing lymph nodes bad. But overall I am esctatic at the fact that the primary tumor is so d*mned lazy (my tumor takes after me -- how sweet!) and that as of today, my liver function remains perfectly normal.

So -- it's a mixed bag, but I'll take it, and will try to honor the time I do have left.

My deep affection -- no, make that my love, to all you. We struggle, but none of us strggles alone.Courage,Irene

Re: Tomorrow's The Day

Irene......yes, for lazy tumors. I am happy to hear that your liver functions are perfectly normal and that you are feeling well. There is nothing more encouraging then when the predictions are proven wrong.Hugs to you,Marion

THIS INFORMATION IS NOT INTENDED NOR IMPLIED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF YOUR PHYSICIAN OR OTHER QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER

Re: Tomorrow's The Day

Irene,Been thinking of you and wondering how it went. Thanks for the report and so happy things are looking ok. I know you will see your 45th birthday and many good days ahead. I agree about not being alone in this battle.. People are amazing here on this site....Take care of yourself Irene. Love, Hollie

Re: Tomorrow's The Day

Hi Irene,My birthday is in September also! When I was on chemo I was on Gemzar and Xeloda. When I was diagnosed in Oct 07 I was told I may not make it until my daughters High School graduation in May 08. Well I was there, ended up getting a resection the next week after being told I was inoperable, and will bring her home from college tomorrow after she finished her first year! Let's keep proving these docs wrong. Sending good thoughts and prayers your way.God Bless,Jamie

Re: Tomorrow's The Day

Dear Irene,

You have a wonderful attitude and I think that is so important. What you said is all so true. It is a mixed bag, but take it and live your life to the fullest. From our experience with this cancer & what I have since learned from everyone here, I fully support you and the decisions you have made. You are a very courageous lady. You are so right, with this site & everyone on it none of us, patient or caregiver, are alone in our struggles.

I am hoping for only the best for you in the future.

Love & Hugs,Darla

"One Day At A Time"

All of my comments and suggestions are just my opinions and are not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care providers.

Re: Tomorrow's The Day

Hi Irene,I love your attitude (and I wish Jim's tumor was lazy...). Regarding the lymph nodes, Jim was told he had lymph node involvement and then later on adrenal gland involvement but both cleared up on subsequent scans. Regardless, your attitude is inspiring and it 's amazing what hte body and spirit can do.Warmest thoughts to you,Danielle

The information expressed is not medical advice. The discussion boards are not intended to replace the services of a trained health professional or to be a substitute for the medical advice of physicians or other healthcare providers. Read the full disclaimer.